Before leaving school for the holiday break, students stayed late to help send off the food to the Salvation Army.

“This is going to be given out in our Christmas baskets coming up soon. We’re going to service 1,200 families so we’re excited,” said Ross Anderson of the Salvation Army.

The school hopes this drive can help kids understand the growing need for food in their community.

“You could be in a class with 30 people. Five of them could be homeless or hungry, and that really put it in perspective for me. Because there could be someone right next to me who is starving,” Sova said.

The school’s principal says this experience goes beyond high school.

“Our kids are high school kids today, but citizens of communities tomorrow. Our hope is not only do they take it into the communities they become a resident of, but also take them in their workplaces, take those efforts into their post-secondary opportunities,” said JHS Principal Barbara Baird-Pauli.

The Salvation Army says their food baskets will help around 5,000 kids.

“The feedback from this community has been incredible. We’re really honored at the Salvation Army to accept this,” Anderson said.

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